(Seattle, Wash. – Dec 9, 2009) ENERGY STAR is marking a decade of reducing energy costs in schools, homes and corporate buildings across the nation.This year represents the 10th anniversary of the first award of an ENERGY STAR plaque to a commercial building by EPA. That award went to the Ridgehaven Green Building in San Diego in 1999.

Since then, over 8,500 buildings have won the ENERGY STAR award nationally by optimizing their energy use.

There are now over 90,000 buildings participating in the ENERGY STAR program nation wide, representing over 12 billion square feet of commercial and industrial space.

In the Pacific Northwest, Idaho and Alaska, approximately 380 buildings have received the ENERGY STAR award, and approximately 4,700 buildings are actively involved in energy programs.

In 2008, the Gresham-Barlow School District, near Portland, Ore., received the ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award for continuous improvement. This school district has been awarded the Energy Star plaque on 18 of their 19 schools, and the district has reduced its total use of energy by 30 percent across the entire school district.

Additional local participants in the ENERGY STAR program include; Amazon.com, JC Penney, Marriot Hotels, school districts throughout the Northwest, Kohl's Department Stores, and Albertson’s grocery stores.

The ENERGY STAR program promotes energy efficiency throughout American society, including commercial and industrial facilities. Participating facilities are supported by this program in their efforts to reduce their energy consumption through implementation of energy efficient methods and technologies.

Facilities that are in the top 25 percent of energy efficiency can win the ENERGY STAR award.

Businesses interested in starting an energy efficiency program, should visit the following web site or call the U.S. EPA Region 10 office for assistance.http://www.energystar.gov/